A week in Ouzinkie

The first three weeks of summer have been a tremendous blessing.  Much of that has to do with the incredible people the Lord has brought to work along side each other.  This group is made up of some of the most incredible people who pull more than their own weight and are quick to help.  They have all grown very close and I love watching the Lord work through them to share His love with the island of Kodiak.  

After our second week of camp we all loaded into the boat and headed to the village of Ouzinkie.  It's a small village not far from Kodiak.  Norman and Joyce Smith spent their lives living and ministering to the people their.  Joyce has just past away in the past three years, leaving the Mission their to KBM.  It's an old 1930s home, but after spending just a little time their it's easy to see why Joyce and Norman loved Ouzinkie so much.  

The night we arrived the entire staff filled the home with load beautiful music, praising the Lord late in the night.  Their excitement to serve and worship together is infectious and it felt great to have such joy in the home again.  The next morning we had a Sunday service in the small chapel downstairs before loading up most the group to head back to Kodiak for the week.  A small team remained for the week to do kayaking, pottery and just live with the community for a week.  

Of course I had gotten a bad cold and was and still am a bit under the weather, but Stephen was their to pull most of the load.  He's such a wonderful guy!  We celebrating our anniversary there and it was extremely memorable.  Our staff had stayed up the night before cutting out hearts and writing on them all that love is.  Stephen and I know how blessed we are, but it's just good reminder to remain faithful to the Lord and see how He will work through us.  We also had a couple from the village make a very delicious cake to share that night.  Another man from the village brought us ice cream and everyone was so amazing!  

The week ended quickly and while I was so excited to take a normal shower and sleep in my bed it was hard leaving the kids and village, but we'll soon be back.  We plan on spending two and a half more weeks their this summer with the groups. 

June 6th 2009

June 6th 2009 I awoke to an absolutely beautiful day!  I was reminded that my birthday is actually in the summer.  The past few have been pretty chilly and damp!  For those of you who know me every year for my birthday all I wanted to do was go camping.  So the family loaded up everything and headed to Ft Kearney for the weekend.  It was always wonderful and I was so blessed to have that same opportunity on Saturday.  We loaded up the family and all the summer staff and headed over to Long Island.  It is amazing going to a different island away from life and being able to explore.  We headed over to a lake where Stephen started fishing.  He caught a beautiful trout that we cooked up right there.  It was wonderful being the great friends and while I missed my family dearly I felt a little closer to home.  

Stephen and I pitched our tent near a cliff overlooking the ocean.  Gus, Roscoe and Stephen and I all piled in for a restful sleep and enjoyed waking up to the sea lions playing in the water and the birds flying all around.  

Thanks to everyone who called to wish me a happy birthday.  I can't believe I'm already 27, but I guess I'm happy that I feel really young!  Here's for another great year! 

Old Woman Hike

Camp is in full swing and many or our summer staffers have arrived.  They are incredible with the kids and have taken so much stress.  There are a group of people that carry more than their load and make for great days.  There pictures are from our hike up Old Woman.  It was a lot of fun getting to know everyone a little more and enjoying our Lords AMAZING creation!